Here are a couple of pics of us firing DARD the trebuchet at conference. This should give you all some idea of the size of this thing. It will throw a 10 kilo concrete ball over 120 meters. We also have solid cast iron shot for it as well. DARD took nearly a year to build and was built at craigs house.



The actual pattern for it was taken from manuscripts from the 13th century through the 16th. The counterweight was filled with dirt, rocks and small kids. Well not kids but during the test firing two kids were in the counterweight bucket for a short time and apparently swinging in it is fun.

The range is extended or reduced by lengthening the sling ropes.
Its actually very effective, and takes about five minutes to reload and fire with an experianced crew.

Its a real buzz to actually fire it and see the ball splinter pallets and fort walls.